Two Injured After Jumping to Escape Va. Apt. Fire

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Dec. 01--Two people were injured after they apparently jumped from a second-story roof to escape a fire that engulfed part of an apartment building early today in Petersburg, displacing more than a dozen people.

Firefighters were summoned at 4:16 a.m. to the building in the 1000 block of West Washington Street and found heavy fire on the second floor, said Petersburg fire Battalion Chief Steve Bowling.

A man and woman were hurt when they apparently jumped from the roof of a porch on the second floor, Bowling said. Both were taken by ambulance to Southside Regional Medical Center with injuries that did not appear life-threatening, he said.

Thirteen people, including the injured man and woman, were displaced from the four apartments in the building, Bowling said. The American Red Cross is providing assistance.

The fire was brought under control within a half-hour. Its cause is under investigation.